Its the new year, 2014, January 6 to be exact, and I have been ruminating on the “List” every blogger accumulates and publishes early in January in the hope that they get noticed, and build some momentum for the year.

All the research tells us that headlines that include a list, like “top 10” and “5 things to…” get opened more than their non-list competitors, so that is what most seem to use, understandably. Being opened is the first hurdle, and a list helps with that, but the following wished for outcomes, being relevant, shared, and useful are just as challenging, and lists do not necessarily help.

Contemplating my list, trying to articulate the things I see happening that may influence our commercial choices in 2014, I saw a common thread. Everything I was contemplating sprang from the opportunities opening by being different, new, or looking at a common challenge from a new perspective. This seemed to hold equally when contemplating new products and technologies, emerging services, and new business models.

It seemed to me that the thread was that the real advantages and advances in 2014 will not come from doing the same things better, but by doing different things.

How different are you planning to be? what is on your agenda that is genuinely new, rather than just a rehash of something old but perhaps proven? how are you going to stand out in an increasingly homogeneous world?

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About strategyaudit

StrategyAudit is a boutique strategy and marketing consultancy concentrating on the challenges of the medium sized manufacturing businesses that make up the backbone of our economy.
The particular focus is on their strategic and marketing development. as well as the business and operational efficiency improvements necessary for day to day commercial survival.
We not only give advice, we go down "into the weeds" to ensure and enable implementation.

2 Responses to 2014, better or different

It’s that ability to stand out from the crowd and I think you can’t do much better than to have top customer service. It’s an area that a lot of businesses neglect – forgetting to looking after their customers properly. So for me, I will step up my telephone manner and supply the best service I can. It’s probably a rehash, but a good rehash.